The Court also held that United HealthCare is the proper defendant in the case because it exercised total control over claims for benefits under the terms of the health plan.  These portions of the lower court decision were vacated and remanded back to District Court. 

We are very pleased with the Court's finding that NYSPA has standing at this point in the litigation to represent the interests of our members and their patients, particularly where we believe that health plans are violating federal parity laws and interfering with access to care for the treatment of mental illness.  In addition, the decision of the Court regarding the ability to sue plan administrators is particularly important because it removes a technicality that plan administrators might raise to avoid being responsible when they make determinations that run afoul of federal parity laws.

To read a copy of the decision, click here